Homeschool Unrefined

We're sharing some of the most-loved episodes from our archives. Here's #17!   We do two episodes a week—this is our free one. Join us on Patreon to unlock a NEW episode every week for just $5/month!   #17: Where Autopilot Save the Day This episode originally aired on November 13, 2017.  Do you need to simplify your days?  Or do you need something easy to get you through a stressful day, week or season? Today Maren and Angela talk about the idea of Autopilot and how they use it to lower stress and simplify their days.  When you use Autopilot, much learning happens and it's easy on the homeschooling parent and child.  There are so many benefits, we wonder why we're not using it more often.     It's all happening on Patreon! You can always get new content on Patreon! Join our $5 Squad on Patreon to get an extra episode every week. Every month, you'll get 2 Listener Q&P (Question & Process) Episodes, an LTW Extra episode, and a monthly check-in where we get real about what's going well, what's hard right now, and what we're doing for self-care. You'll also get plugged into our community of like-minded parents for support, encouragement, and fun!   More About Homeschool Unrefined We are an inclusive and nonsectarian podcast. We believe Black Lives Matter, and we are LGBTQ+ affirming (for more, read our piece on Romper). We are listener supported and are donating 10% of all Patreon income and product sales to The Conscious Kid, a Black and Brown-led organization that has been instrumental in our own evolution and in leading the way in both ideological and tangible change with their work in “parenting and education through a critical race lens." Read our full ABAR Statement here and on Instagram.   Connect with us!  Visit our website | Sign up for our newsletter. | Support us on Patreon. | bookshop.org Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Youtube Angela on Instagram: @unrefinedangela | Maren on Instagram: @unrefinedmaren Email us any questions or feedback at homeschoolunrefined@gmail.com

We're tackling a listener question about talking with our kids about puberty, sex, romantic relationships, and the resources we've found helpful.      Subscribe and listen to the full episode now at patreon.com/homeschoolunrefined. 

We're sharing some of the most-loved episodes from our archives. Here's #18!   We do two episodes a week—this is our free one. Join us on Patreon to unlock a NEW episode every week for just $5/month!   #18: Where We Follow Their Interests This episode originally aired on November 5, 2018.  Ever wonder how interest-led learning even works?  Ever wonder what it even is?!?  We’re here for you!  We define it (in our own Homeschool Unrefined words), we walk through how it benefits our kids and can be an ideal way to learn, and as usual, we work through the challenges we have with it every single day.  It’s a beautiful, wonderful, challenging, amazingly effective, and sometimes daunting way of homeschooling.  We’ll walk you through it.     It's all happening on Patreon! You can always get new content on Patreon! Join our $5 Squad on Patreon to get an extra episode every week. Every month, you'll get 2 Listener Q&P (Question & Process) Episodes, an LTW Extra episode, and a monthly check-in where we get real about what's going well, what's hard right now, and what we're doing for self-care. You'll also get plugged into our community of like-minded parents for support, encouragement, and fun!   More About Homeschool Unrefined We are an inclusive and nonsectarian podcast. We believe Black Lives Matter, and we are LGBTQ+ affirming (for more, read our piece on Romper). We are listener supported and are donating 10% of all Patreon income and product sales to The Conscious Kid, a Black and Brown-led organization that has been instrumental in our own evolution and in leading the way in both ideological and tangible change with their work in “parenting and education through a critical race lens." Read our full ABAR Statement here and on Instagram.   Connect with us!  Visit our website | Sign up for our newsletter. | Support us on Patreon. | bookshop.org Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Youtube Angela on Instagram: @unrefinedangela | Maren on Instagram: @unrefinedmaren Email us any questions or feedback at homeschoolunrefined@gmail.com

Getting ready for the Oscars, shows we're bingeing, and more of what we're Loving This Week!   Subscribe and listen to the full episode now at patreon.com/homeschoolunrefined. 

We're sharing some of the most-loved episodes from our archives. Here's #19!   We do two episodes a week—this is our free one. Join us on Patreon to unlock a NEW episode every week for just $5/month!   #19: Where We October (2018) Check-In This episode originally aired on October 29, 2018. We chose this episode because it's about the ordinary stuff of life that we all need to process! It’s check-in day, which is quickly becoming our favorite!  This week we update each other on past all-important LTWs. We also get real about what’s going well, what needs tweaking, and how we’re doing at self-care.  We do this because so much growing happens in the processing.  We don’t have all the answers, and even if we did, they might not be the answers you need!  Processing helps us all feel good about what we’re doing today, gives us clarity, and reminds us we’re all in this together.    It's all happening on Patreon! You can always get new content on Patreon! Join our $5 Squad on Patreon to get an extra episode every week. Every month, you'll get 2 Listener Q&P (Question & Process) Episodes, an LTW Extra episode, and a monthly check-in where we get real about what's going well, what's hard right now, and what we're doing for self-care. You'll also get plugged into our community of like-minded parents for support, encouragement, and fun!   More About Homeschool Unrefined We are an inclusive and nonsectarian podcast. We believe Black Lives Matter, and we are LGBTQ+ affirming (for more, read our piece on Romper). We are listener supported and are donating 10% of all Patreon income and product sales to The Conscious Kid, a Black and Brown-led organization that has been instrumental in our own evolution and in leading the way in both ideological and tangible change with their work in “parenting and education through a critical race lens." Read our full ABAR Statement here and on Instagram.   Connect with us!  Visit our website | Sign up for our newsletter. | Support us on Patreon. | bookshop.org Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Youtube Angela on Instagram: @unrefinedangela | Maren on Instagram: @unrefinedmaren Email us any questions or feedback at homeschoolunrefined@gmail.com

Today we're processing through a much requested topic - all the pros/cons of homeschool vs public school. Hint: there's no winner! Well, the winner is YOU when you choose what's best for your family.     Subscribe and listen to the full episode now at patreon.com/homeschoolunrefined.

We're sharing some of the most-loved episodes from our archives. Here's #20!   We do two episodes a week—this is our free one. Join us on Patreon to unlock a NEW episode every week for just $5/month!   #20: Permission to Cancel School This Year This episode originally aired on March 8, 2021. We’re just gonna say it: You don’t have to do school this year. In this episode, we’re talking about why it’s ok to skip academics and prioritize mental health and life learning. This is specific to our current pandemic circumstances, but it also applies to any season of life when things just aren’t “normal”: sickness, job loss, moving, traveling, having a baby. Because whatever you’re living through, THAT is the learning experience.  Takeaways  -Even if you were homeschooling before the pandemic, this way of homeschooling isn’t normal. -Stress is high, for us and for our kids. And stress makes learning harder.  -What are our kids learning besides academics, that might need to take precedence? -Kids are learning things like empathy, figuring out their own interests, managing stress, creating healthy relationships and boundaries, self care, etc. They are getting real life experience in how to deal with real life experiences. -Ask yourself why you are doing academics. Is it because you think you need to get through the material or your kids will be “behind”? What are the outcomes of “pushing through”? -We get to be their guide and support them through these experiences now. They’re building a tool box that they can use for their whole lives.   It's all happening on Patreon! You can always get new content on Patreon! Join our $5 Squad on Patreon to get an extra episode every week. Every month, you'll get 2 Listener Q&P (Question & Process) Episodes, an LTW Extra episode, and a monthly check-in where we get real about what's going well, what's hard right now, and what we're doing for self-care. You'll also get plugged into our community of like-minded parents for support, encouragement, and fun!   More About Homeschool Unrefined We are an inclusive and nonsectarian podcast. We believe Black Lives Matter, and we are LGBTQ+ affirming (for more, read our piece on Romper). We are listener supported and are donating 10% of all Patreon income and product sales to The Conscious Kid, a Black and Brown-led organization that has been instrumental in our own evolution and in leading the way in both ideological and tangible change with their work in “parenting and education through a critical race lens." Read our full ABAR Statement here and on Instagram.   Connect with us!  Visit our website | Sign up for our newsletter. | Support us on Patreon. | bookshop.org Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Youtube Angela on Instagram: @unrefinedangela | Maren on Instagram: @unrefinedmaren Email us any questions or feedback at homeschoolunrefined@gmail.com

This is the fifth and final episode in our "How We Homeschool" series. We've talked with different homeschool parents all season to hear about their philosophies, insights, and experiences.    We're closing out this season with someone who was on our dream guest list from Day 1—and Rachel Jepson Wolf did not disappoint! Rachel and her two kids (now teens) have been homeschooling from the beginning when Rachel made an unexpected U-turn on the way to Kindergarten. Their eclectic, project-based homeschool style is all about making space for who her kids are. We talk through how they've utilized a destination-based approach to some learning, what it's like homeschooling teens, their current routine and rhythm, and the impact that COVID has had on connecting with community as long-term secular homeschoolers. We loved this conversation from start to finish, and we know you will, too.   Rachel Jepson Wolf is the owner and founder of LüSa Organics, a body care company specializing in herbal balms, soaps, and baby care. Rachel and her husband Pete have raised and homeschooled their two kids in rural southwestern Wisconsin. Rachel is the author of two books: Herbal Adventures, a wildcrafting book for kids and their families, and The Unplugged Family Activity Book a treasure trove of screen-free fun. You can find her online at rachelwolfclean.com and on Instagram (her business is there, too) and Facebook.   We have MORE with Rachel available when you join our $5 Squad on Patreon!   Aha Moment "Small changes can make big differences." -Maren     Newsletter Let's stay in touch, even when our favorite social media platforms crash. Plus, you get a FREEBIE from us when you subscribe! homeschoolunrefined.com/newsletter   It's all happening on Patreon! Our season is ending, but you can always get new content on Patreon! Join our $5 Squad on Patreon to get an extra episode every week. Every month, you'll get 2 Listener Q&P (Question & Process) Episodes, an LTW Extra episode, and a monthly check-in where we get real about what's going well, what's hard right now, and what we're doing for self-care. You'll also get plugged into our community of like-minded parents for support, encouragement, and fun!   Loving This Week (LTW) Angela: The Sweetness of Water Maren: Kristin Ess Weightless Shine Air Dry Crème and Pacifica Salty Waves Texture Spray   Patrons get a monthly "LTW Extra" episode when you join our $5 Squad. A chat about the shows, products, podcasts, books, and more that we're loving!    More About Homeschool Unrefined We are an inclusive and nonsectarian podcast. We believe Black Lives Matter, and we are LGBTQ+ affirming (for more, read our piece on Romper). We are listener supported and are donating 10% of all Patreon income and product sales to The Conscious Kid, a Black and Brown-led organization that has been instrumental in our own evolution and in leading the way in both ideological and tangible change with their work in “parenting and education through a critical race lens." Read our full ABAR Statement here and on Instagram.   Connect with us!  Visit our website | Sign up for our newsletter. | Support us on Patreon. | Merch Shop | bookshop.org Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Youtube Angela on Instagram: @unrefinedangela | Maren on Instagram: @unrefinedmaren Email us any questions or feedback at homeschoolunrefined@gmail.com

Back by popular demand! We can’t—and we shouldn’t!—do everything. So we’re sharing 10 specific things we DON’T do anymore. This isn’t about copying our lists of don't do's—it’s about identifying the things you can take off your plate so you can do more of the things that light you up!   This episode is sponsored by Nexbooks. Get your free trial today at nexbooks.org and get 10% off your subscription by using discount code: unrefined.   A total dream come true... We’ve partnered with Sparkle Stories! Sparkle Stories creates original audio stories to inspire imagination and help kids through tough times in a gentle way. They’ve produced an original audio story that pairs with our post: 10 Things to Remember for a Less Stressful Holiday Season. Get a FREE extended 30-day trial using our code: HOMESCHOOLUNREFINED.     Newsletter Let's stay in touch, even when our favorite social media platforms crash. Plus, you get a FREEBIE from us when you subscribe! homeschoolunrefined.com/newsletter   Want more episodes? Join our $5 Squad on Patreon to get an extra episode every week. Every month, you'll get 2 Listener Q&P (Question & Process) Episodes, an LTW Extra episode, and a monthly check-in where we get real about what's going well, what's hard right now, and what we're doing for self-care. You'll also get plugged into our community of like-minded parents for support, encouragement, and fun!   Loving This Week (LTW) Angela: The Secure Relationship Instagram account Maren: The Surprising Reasons Why Some Kids Struggle and Others Shine   Patrons get a monthly "LTW Extra" episode when you join our $5 Squad. A chat about the shows, products, podcasts, books, and more that we're loving!    More About Homeschool Unrefined We are an inclusive and nonsectarian podcast. We believe Black Lives Matter, and we are LGBTQ+ affirming (for more, read our piece on Romper). We are listener supported and are donating 10% of all Patreon income and product sales to The Conscious Kid, a Black and Brown-led organization that has been instrumental in our own evolution and in leading the way in both ideological and tangible change with their work in “parenting and education through a critical race lens." Read our full ABAR Statement here and on Instagram.   Connect with us!  Visit our website | Sign up for our newsletter. | Support us on Patreon. | Merch Shop | bookshop.org Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Youtube Angela on Instagram: @unrefinedangela | Maren on Instagram: @unrefinedmaren Email us any questions or feedback at homeschoolunrefined@gmail.com

This is the fourth episode in our "How We Homeschool" series. We're talking with different homeschool parents all season to hear about their philosophies, insights, and experiences.    Deb Shin is a video games marketer turned homeschooler. Deb shares about her homeschool to unschool journey—from Charlotte Mason homeschooling to realizing she was inadvertently school-at-home homeschooling, followed by her initial skepticism about unschooling to becoming self-directed unschoolers blending video games and modern media with a literature-rich learning lifestyle. Deb also gives us a glimpse into a "day-in-the-life" and her approach to finding community.   We have MORE with Deb available when you join our $5 Squad on Patreon!   Connect with Deb on Instagram.   This episode is sponsored by Nexbooks. Get your free trial today at nexbooks.org and get 10% off your subscription by using discount code: unrefined.     Aha Moment "Don’t overthink or overanalyze or project too far into the future based on your children’s behavior right now." -Maren     Mentions Read Aloud Revival Beautiful Feet Books Pinna Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest Vooks Exploring Unschooling Podcast     Newsletter Let's stay in touch, even when our favorite social media platforms crash. Plus, you get a FREEBIE from us when you subscribe! homeschoolunrefined.com/newsletter   Want more episodes? Join our $5 Squad on Patreon to get an extra episode every week. Every month, you'll get 2 Listener Q&P (Question & Process) Episodes, an LTW Extra episode, and a monthly check-in where we get real about what's going well, what's hard right now, and what we're doing for self-care. You'll also get plugged into our community of like-minded parents for support, encouragement, and fun!   Loving This Week (LTW) Angela: Red (Taylor's Version) Maren: Little Simz    Patrons get a monthly "LTW Extra" episode when you join our $5 Squad. A chat about the shows, products, podcasts, books, and more that we're loving!    More About Homeschool Unrefined We are an inclusive and nonsectarian podcast. We believe Black Lives Matter, and we are LGBTQ+ affirming (for more, read our piece on Romper). We are listener supported and are donating 10% of all Patreon income and product sales to The Conscious Kid, a Black and Brown-led organization that has been instrumental in our own evolution and in leading the way in both ideological and tangible change with their work in “parenting and education through a critical race lens." Read our full ABAR Statement here and on Instagram.   Connect with us!  Visit our website | Sign up for our newsletter. | Support us on Patreon. | Merch Shop | bookshop.org Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Youtube Angela on Instagram: @unrefinedangela | Maren on Instagram: @unrefinedmaren Email us any questions or feedback at homeschoolunrefined@gmail.com